ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular fitness is frequently considered the most important aspect of physical fitness. The generally accepted physiological criterion of cardiovascular fitness (maximal oxygen uptake – https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2max https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315024875/65505570-623e-4fc4-8ffc-c2853b62b3f4/content/inline-math_57_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> ), is only a predisposition for physical performance. The practical inportance of oxygen consumption in the performance of exercise of moderate intensity (lasting 1-60 min) is supported by the significant correlation between physical performance and directly measured https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2max https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315024875/65505570-623e-4fc4-8ffc-c2853b62b3f4/content/inline-math_58_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> (Astrand and Rodahl, 1986; Bunc et al., 1986, Bunc and Heller, 1990; Bunc, 1994; Cooper, 1968; Pugh, 1970). A high https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2max https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315024875/65505570-623e-4fc4-8ffc-c2853b62b3f4/content/inline-math_59_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> does not guarantee good physical performance, since technique of motion and psychological factors may have an influence either positively or negatively. In work and exercise where the body is lifted (e.g., walking, running, cross-country skiing), oxygen uptake should be related to body mass. In this case, the individual’s https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2max https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315024875/65505570-623e-4fc4-8ffc-c2853b62b3f4/content/inline-math_60_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> provides a measure of the “motor effect”. With this parameter the subject’s ability to move his/her body can be evaluated. In practice this means that if we wish to characterize fitness level, we must evaluate https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2max https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315024875/65505570-623e-4fc4-8ffc-c2853b62b3f4/content/inline-math_61_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> and physical performance at the same time.
